Planning on a manual migration to new computer: advice, please

[Argelius]

I am getting a MacBook Air to replace my 4+ year old MacBook Pro.

Rather than using migration assistant, I think I want to start from fresh and do manual migration. I'm a notorious "tinkerer" and install and uninstall lots of apps and utilities. Consequently, I've accumulated a lot of left-over flotsam and jetsam on my mac. Moreover, given the SDD restrctions with the Air, I want to conserve as much space as possible and not migrate over a bunch of unnecessary files.

Anyway, I am prepared to reinstall all my apps and transver my document.

I think the only potentially dicey thing will be moving my iTunes and Aperture library to the new machine.

This is about the best resource I've found: http://www.cultofmac.com/how-to-perform-a-manual-mac-system-migration-macrx/45114

In general, can anyone offer advice on how best to do this "manual migration" (or talk me out of it if it's a mistake)?



Thanks.

 

[robgendreau]

It's rather hard to say what will happen.

You cannot just copy most applications, utilities, etc, you have to reinstall them. And make sure you have licenses handy. And check to see if they will even work with your new system software.

More trouble than it's worth, and you're just as likely to wind up with problems than if you let Migration Ass't do it for you.

Rob